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Cassandra in a time of war: A reading of Marcial Gala’s Llámenme Casandra and Igiaba Scego’s Cassandra a Mogadiscio
No full textThis article focuses on Marcial Gala’s 2019 novel Llámenme Casandra and Igiaba Scego’s 2023 novel Cassandra a Mogadiscio demonstrating how both texts feature the mythological prophetess Cassandra in order to thematize conflict and social stigma in relation to colonial/postcolonial contexts and intersectional identities. More in general, my argument contributes to mapping the growing relevance of Cassandra in world literature and the arts as a key character for problematizing issues of social marginalization.
My argument is divided into three sections. Section one provides an overview of the contemporary reception of Cassandra’s myth aimed at showing that the two traits associated with this character (prophetic voice related to wars and social marginality) are the core elements driving such reception. Sections two and three focus on Scego’s and Gala’s novels. Gala’s novel features a male soldier who identifies himself as a reincarnation of Cassandra fighting during the Cuban Intervention in Angola (1970s), while in Cassandra a Mogadiscio the author herself identifies as Cassandra in narrating her family’s experiences during the Somali Civil War (1990s) and the migration to Italy.
By examining these texts through the methodological lenses provided by Classical Reception Studies, Queer Studies and Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, I demonstrate how the two novels work as key sites for the exploration of the processes behind the construction of social identities
Untersuchung der Auswirkungen von Umweltveränderungen und biologischen Prozessen auf die Methanwerte in Seen
No full textThis thesis explores the relationship between lake connectivity and surface methane (CH4) dynamics in deeper oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes, with a particular focus on the influence of external factors such as humic/peatland dominated catchment. The thesis investigates the impact of increased colored dissolved organic matter (cDOM) input, through browning of aquatic environments, on CH4 dynamics in lakes. By examining lakes mainly affected by humic substances from peatland catchments, the study aims to elucidate the role of these environments in the global carbon cycle, especially considering predicted increases in lake browning (IPCC 2022). Through three key questions and corresponding studies conducted in diverse lake ecosystems, the thesis reveals several significant findings. Firstly, it demonstrates that lakes can transition from CH4 sinks to partial sources due to external enrichment from catchment-produced CH4. Secondly, it highlights the potential of browning to mitigate surface CH4 concentrations compared to clear water lakes. Thirdly, it indicates that browning favors mixotrophic phytoplankton dominance, suggesting a shift in community composition under altered environmental conditions. Finally, the thesis refutes the notion of mixotrophic phytoplankton as potential drivers of heightened surface CH4 concentrations, providing insights into the complex interplay between peatland dominated lake catchment, browning phenomena, and CH4 dynamics. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the surface CH4 dynamics in aquatic environments and underscore the importance of considering catchment influences in ecosystem management and climate change mitigation efforts.Diese Dissertation untersucht die Beziehungen zwischen der Konnektivität von Seen und der Dynamik von Methan (CH4) an der Oberfläche von tiefen oligotrophen und mesotrophen Seen, wobei ein besonderer Fokus auf dem Einfluss externer Faktoren wie Huminstoff-reichen Einzugsgebieten, z.B. von Mooren liegt. Die Arbeit untersucht die Auswirkungen eines erhöhten Eintrags von braunem,gelöstem organischen Material (cDOM), dem sogenannten Browning, auf die CH4-Dynamik in Seen. Durch die Untersuchung von Seen, die hauptsächlich von Huminstoffen aus moorigen Einzugsgebieten beeinflusst sind, zielt die Dissertation darauf ab, die Rolle dieser Gewässertypen im globalen Kohlenstoffkreislauf zu klären, insbesondere unter Berücksichtigung der vorhergesagten Zunahme der Braunfärbung von Seen (IPCC 2022). Mittels drei zentraler Fragen und entsprechenden Studien in verschiedenen Seesystemen erzielt die Dissertation mehrere bedeutende Ergebnisse. Erstens zeigt sie, dass Seen aufgrund einer externen Anreicherung durch im Einzugsgebiet produziertes CH4 von CH4-Senken zu Quellen übergehen können. Zweitens hebt sie das Potenzial der Braunfärbung hervor, die CH4-Oberflächenkonzentrationen im Vergleich zu klaren Seen zu vermindern. Drittens deutet sie darauf hin, dass die Braunfärbung des Wassers die Dominanz von mixotrophem Phytoplankton fördert und damit eine Verschiebung der Gemeinschaftszusammensetzung unter veränderten Umweltbedingungen verursacht. Schließlich widerlegt die Arbeit die Vorstellung von mixotrophem Phytoplankton als potenziellem Treiber erhöhter CH4-Oberflächenkonzentrationen und liefert Einblicke in das komplexe Zusammenspiel zwischen moorigen Seeeinzugsgebieten, Braunfärbung des Wassers und CH4-Dynamik. Diese Erkenntnisse tragen zu einem tieferen Verständnis derCH4-Dynamik im Oberflächenwasser von Seenökosystemen bei und unterstreichen die Bedeutung von Seeneinzugsgebieten für das Seenmanagement und den Bemühungen zur Abminderung der negativen ökosystemaren Folgen des Klimawandels
Starch phosphorylation
No full textPhosphoesterification is the only naturally occurring covalent starch modification identified to date, and it has a major impact on overall starch metabolism. The incorporation of phosphate groups mediated by dikinases [α-glucan, water dikinase (GWD), EC 2.7.9.4; phosphoglucan, water dikinase (PWD), EC 2.7.9.5] massively alters the starch granule properties; however, previous studies did not determine whether the starch-related dikinases bind the phosphate to the glucosyl units within the amylopectin molecules in a specific pattern or randomly. In order to answer this challenging question, a number of approaches were initially pursued until a protocol could be established that enabled a massive step forward in the in vitro analysis of phosphorylated glucan chains obtained from starch. For this purpose, phosphorylation by GWD was investigated, including the final state of phosphorylation i.e., the state of substrate saturation when GWD lacks further free hydroxyl groups at OH-C6 for the catalysis of monophosphate esters. Since the separated phosphorylated glucan chains were required for the analysis, isoamylase digestion was performed to cleave the α-1,6-glycosidic bonds and to allow for the removal of the huge number of existing neutral chains by means of anion exchange chromatography. Via Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization–Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) MS and MALDI-MS/MS, the phosphorylated α-glucan chains were analysed, and the position of the phosphate group within the chain in relation to the reducing end was determined. Here, we demonstrate a protocol that enables the analysis of phosphorylated oligosaccharides, even in small quantities
Polygenic risk scores as a marker for epilepsy risk across lifetime and after unspecified seizure events
No full textA diagnosis of epilepsy has significant consequences for an individual but is often challenging in clinical practice. Novel biomarkers are thus greatly needed. Here, we investigated how common genetic factors (epilepsy polygenic risk scores, [PRSs]) influence epilepsy risk in detailed longitudinal electronic health records (EHRs) of 700k Finns and Estonians. We found that a high genetic generalized epilepsy PRS (PRSGGE) increased risk for genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73 per PRSGGE standard deviation [SD]) across lifetime and within 10 years after an unspecified seizure event. The effect of PRSGGE was significantly larger on idiopathic generalized epilepsies, in females and for earlier epilepsy onset. Analogously, we found significant but more modest focal epilepsy PRS burden associated with non-acquired focal epilepsy (NAFE). Here, we outline the potential of epilepsy specific PRSs to serve as biomarkers after a first seizure event
Reform und Politik
No full textDiese qualitative Fallstudie nimmt den Diskurs zur Verwaltungsmodernisierung und insbesondere die Forderung einer agilen Verwaltung zum Anlass, postbürokratische Reformen in der Ministerialverwaltung in den Blick zu nehmen. Als postbürokratische Reformen werden hier intendierte Organisationsveränderungen verstanden, die das Ziel haben, Interaktionen und Dezentralisierung in der Entscheidungsfindung zu stärken und gleichzeitig Formalisierung abzubauen. Die Autorin widmet sich der Frage, wie es zum Scheitern solcher Reformen in Ministerien kommen kann. Im Zentrum der Untersuchung stehen zwei Einheiten, die in einem Ministerium mit dem Ziel seiner Modernisierung gegründet wurden. Es wird untersucht, wie sich diese Einheiten strukturell zum Rest der Organisation verhalten, inwiefern sie sich unterscheiden und welche Auswirkungen diese Unterschiede auf den Verlauf der Reorganisation haben. Die Autorin fasst die Reform als mikropolitisches Spiel und arbeitet so drei Mechanismen heraus, die zu ihrem Scheitern geführt haben. Dabei diskutiert sie das Verhältnis von Politik, Verwaltung und Reorganisation und entwickelt auf Basis dessen Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis
Plasmon-driven chemical transformation of a secondary amide probed by surface enhanced Raman scattering
No full textPlasmon-driven chemical conversion is gaining burgeoning interest in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, we study the reactivity of N-methyl-4-sulfanylbenzamide (NMSB) at nanocavities of gold and silver nanoparticle aggregates under plasmonic excitation to gain understanding of the respective reaction mechanism. NMSB is a secondary amide, which is a frequent binding motive found in peptides and a common coupling product of organic molecules and biomolecules. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is used as a two-in-one in-situ spectroscopic tool to initiate the molecular transformation process and simultaneously monitor and analyze the reaction products. Supported by dissociative electron attachment (DEA) studies with the gas phase molecule, a hot electron-mediated conversion of NMSB to p-mercaptobenzamide and p-mercaptobenzonitrile is proposed at the plasmonic nanocavities. The reaction rate showed negligible dependence on the external temperature, ruling out the dominant role of heat in the chemical transformation at the plasmonic interface. This is reflected in the absence of a superlinear relationship between the reaction rate constant and the laser power density, and DEA and SERS studies indicate a hot-electron mediated pathway. We conclude that the overall reaction rate is limited by the availability of energetic hot electrons to the NMSB molecule